A Tearful A-Rod Announces He Will Retire This Week

A-Rod will retire from baseball following Friday’s game at Yankee Stadium.

“This is a tough day. I love this game, and I love this team. And today, I’m saying goodbye to both,” Alex Rodriguez said at a press conference Sunday morning at Yankee Stadium. “This is also a proud moment. I was 18 when I broke into the big leagues. I never thought I could play for 22 years. At 18, I just wanted to make the team.”

He will sign with the New York Yankees as a special advisor and instructor with the Yankees through December of 2017.

“Saying goodbye may be the hardest part of the job, but that’s what I’m doing today.”

Rodriguez said Hal Steinbrenner began conversations with him this week to discuss the Yankees releasing him. Rodriguez didn’t want to be cut from the team, and instead would retire. Rodriguez said he was “at peace” with his decision to leave the game he loves.

“I want to thank the Steinbrenner family for giving me this opportunity and making me part of this team. And giving me an opportunity to stay involved and mentor the next generation of Yankees.”

“I have not thought past the pinstripes,” A-Rod said when asked if he thought about joining a new team.

“I’ve been to hell and back and made every mistake in the book,” Alex said of his controversial career.

Rodriguez has approximately $27 million owed to him on his massive 10-year, $275 million contract that ends after next season. Yankees GM Brian Cashman said this of A’Rod’s contract, “He gets everything he deserves. … Every aspect he’s owed will be paid.”

When asked about A-Rod, Cashman put his 2009 World Championship ring on the table and said, “That doesn’t happen without Alex’s significant contribution.” A-Rod batted .365 with six home runs and 18 RBI in 2009 playoffs.

Rodriguez, who is fourth all-time in home runs, will leave the team after Friday’s game and return to the team next spring training to help young players.

The legendary slugger said he wasn’t a coach, except maybe for his daughter’s basketball team.

“After spending several days discussing this plan with Alex, I am pleased that he will remain a part of our organization moving forward and transition into a role in which I know he can flourish,” Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner in a statement. “We have an exciting group of talented young players at every level of our system. Our job as an organization is to utilize every resource possible to allow them to reach their potential, and I expect Alex to directly contribute to their growth and success. Baseball runs through his blood. He’s a tireless worker and an astute student of the game. Alex has already proven to be a willing and effective mentor to many players who have come through our clubhouse, and I am confident that this next phase of his baseball life will bring out the best in Alex and the next generation of Yankees.”

Rodriguez was struggling mightily this season batting a paltry .209 with only nine home runs and was riding the bench lately. Alex has 696 career home runs, 14 All-Star appearances and was the MVP three times.

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